UAE Shares Its Vision for AI-Powered Government at Seoul Summit
At the World Bank's Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, the UAE demonstrated how artificial intelligence and digital transformation can redesign government operations and deliver seamless services for citizens and businesses alike.
The Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, held from 19 to 22 October, brought together government leaders, development experts and private sector representatives from around the world to explore how technology might reshape the future of public administration. The UAE, participating in the gathering organised by the World Bank in collaboration with South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and Ministry of Science and ICT, seized the occasion to articulate its distinctive approach to harnessing artificial intelligence and agentic AI for the benefit of its people and businesses.
Mohamed Bin Taliah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange Affairs, represented the UAE across a series of high-level discussions and bilateral meetings. His participation underscored the government’s conviction that the true promise of AI extends far beyond the mere adoption of emerging technologies. Rather, it lies in fundamentally redesigning how government operates, in simplifying procedures and in creating the conditions for operational efficiency that saves citizens and businesses time and effort.
During the AI and Digital Ministerial Meeting, which formed part of the summit’s opening ceremony, Bin Taliah engaged with officials and leaders from participating nations on global trends in deploying digital technologies for development and on strengthening cooperation between governments and international partners. The discussion turned on how to enhance government services and institutional performance through strategic use of advanced technology.
A particular highlight came during the high-level roundtable on Zero Bureaucracy, where the UAE shared its experience implementing its Zero Bureaucracy Programme. This initiative focuses on eliminating unnecessary procedures and requirements, redesigning government services to improve agility, and creating an environment in which businesses might flourish. The programme reflects the vision and guidance of the UAE’s leadership in approaching digital transformation not as a technical exercise but as a fundamental reimagining of how government serves its people.
The session titled “Powering AI for Development: Unlocking Global Partnerships that Scale Local Impact” offered Bin Taliah a platform to emphasise the importance of effective partnerships that bring together governments, development institutions and the private sector. Such collaborations, he suggested, prove essential in translating the potential of artificial intelligence into practical, scalable solutions that respond to genuine needs and deliver sustainable development outcomes.
The UAE’s presence at the summit builds naturally on its existing partnership with the World Bank through the Government Experience Exchange Programme, which seeks to share expertise and initiatives across governments worldwide. This collaborative framework enables nations to modernise their administrative practices, enhance efficiency and simplify procedures in ways that deliver tangible improvements in the lives of citizens and businesses.
On the sidelines of the summit, Bin Taliah held bilateral meetings with ministers from countries partnering with the Government Experience Exchange Programme, as well as with senior South Korean officials. These conversations explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise in artificial intelligence, government employee development and enhancing operational efficiency. He also met with Ha Jung-woo, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Council of National AI Strategy Committee, to discuss knowledge and expertise exchange in developing and implementing AI strategies across government.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s active participation in the Seoul summit reflects its commitment to positioning itself as a leader in using artificial intelligence and digital transformation to improve governance. By sharing its Zero Bureaucracy Programme and its experience in deploying agentic AI, the country continues to establish itself as a thought leader on the global stage and strengthens its influence in shaping how governments worldwide approach technological innovation. This aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy of building international partnerships and knowledge-sharing networks, as demonstrated through its participation in other major global gatherings, including discussions on international cooperation and shared prosperity.
For Abu Dhabi and the emirates, this engagement underscores the value of strategic partnerships in advancing development and operational excellence. The experience and insights shared at the summit feed back into the UAE’s ongoing efforts to simplify government processes, enhance service delivery and create conditions for sustainable economic growth. By exchanging knowledge with other nations and learning from their approaches, the UAE strengthens its capacity to innovate and refine its own systems, ultimately benefiting residents and the business community alike.
Source: WAM (The Emirates News Agency)